To a world at a loss as to how to handle Trump, I say this: the only answer may be to wait him out| Simon Jenkins

"The US is extraordinary. One day it goes to the far side of the moon and revives the space age. On the same day, its president is looking to the far side of the Earth and says he will take Iran back to the stone ages."

"Returning the Iranians to the stone age is a different matter. The last time the US made the same boast was against Vietnam in a typical threat by Gen Curtis LeMay. Vietnam crushed the US in the ensuing war."

"The Iran war has become impossible to read, because it is so clearly the creation of one man driven by personal vanity, who wishes to force the world to dance to his tune."

"Trump came to the White House fiercely denouncing the US's past interventions in that region, undertaken by Republican and Democratic presidents. Were he now in opposition, he would be excoriating this war."

The US is engaged in contrasting actions, exploring the moon while threatening Iran. The moon mission serves no practical purpose, as robots can fulfill space needs. The threat against Iran reflects personal vanity from leaders like Trump and Putin, leading to potential global disorder. Their actions do not represent their nations, and without them, conflicts may not have arisen. Trump's past opposition to interventions contrasts with his current stance, suggesting he may regret his decisions influenced by others, particularly Netanyahu. A realistic response to Iran's destabilizing role is necessary.

Read at www.theguardian.com